Ticks are in the news across the country, and Arkansas homeowners should be paying attention.

According to recent CDC data, emergency room visits for tick bites have been higher than normal in many parts of the United States this year. National media outlets have also reported that tick-bite ER visits recently reached some of the highest levels seen in years.

Here in Arkansas, ticks are not just a trail problem. They can be found in yards, wooded lots, tall grass, brush lines, pet areas, and places where deer and wildlife travel. For homeowners in Hot Springs Village, Hot Springs, and surrounding areas, tick prevention should be part of your summer pest control plan.

At Pesty Phil’s Pest Control, we want to help local homeowners understand why ticks are a concern, where they hide, and what can be done to help reduce them around your home.

Why Ticks Are a Big Concern Right Now

Ticks become more active when temperatures warm up, especially in areas with grass, shade, moisture, leaf litter, woods, and wildlife activity. That sounds a lot like Arkansas.

Many homes in our area are surrounded by beautiful trees, natural areas, trails, lakes, and wooded lots. Those same features that make our area a great place to live can also create the perfect environment for ticks.

Ticks can attach to people and pets as they move through grass, brush, leaves, or shaded yard edges. They are often picked up while walking through the yard, doing lawn work, hiking, fishing, camping, or even letting pets outside.

Arkansas Has a Real Tick Problem

Ticks are more than just an itchy nuisance. Some ticks can carry diseases that affect people and animals.

The Arkansas Department of Health lists several tick-borne diseases found in Arkansas, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is considered the most common tick-borne disease in the state.

That does not mean every tick bite will make someone sick. But it does mean Arkansas homeowners should take tick prevention seriously, especially during the warmer months.

Pets Can Bring Ticks Closer to the Home

Dogs and cats can pick up ticks while walking through the yard, woods, trails, or brush. Once ticks get on pets, they can be carried closer to patios, porches, garages, and indoor living areas.

Pet owners should check their animals regularly, especially around the ears, neck, legs, belly, and between the toes. It is also a good idea to talk with your veterinarian about a flea and tick prevention plan.

Professional yard treatments can help reduce tick pressure in the areas where pets spend the most time.

What Homeowners Can Do to Help Reduce Ticks

There are several simple steps that can help make your yard less attractive to ticks.

Start with these:

• Keep the lawn mowed regularly.
• Remove leaf litter and brush from yard edges.
• Trim shrubs and plants away from walkways and the home.
• Keep wood piles away from the house.
• Create a clean barrier between wooded areas and the lawn.
• Keep pets on veterinarian-approved flea and tick prevention.
• Check yourself, children, and pets after being outside.
• Avoid walking through tall grass and brush when possible.
• Keep outdoor clutter cleaned up.
• Schedule regular yard treatments during peak pest season.

Tick control works best when homeowners combine good yard maintenance with professional treatment in high-risk areas.

Why Professional Tick Treatments Help

Ticks are not always easy to control with basic yard cleanup alone. They can hide in shaded grass, brush, leaf litter, and along wooded edges. They can also be brought onto the property by wildlife.

Professional tick treatments are designed to target the areas where ticks are most likely to rest and wait for a host.

At Pesty Phil’s Pest Control, we focus on the areas that matter most around your home, including:

• Yard edges
• Shaded areas
• Pet areas
• Brush lines
• Around patios and porches
• Around sheds and crawlspace openings
• Areas where family and pets spend time

Our goal is to help reduce tick pressure so you can enjoy your yard with more peace of mind.

Do You Need Tick Control in Hot Springs Village or Hot Springs?

If you have seen ticks on yourself, your pets, or around your property, it is time to take action.

You may benefit from tick control if:

• You live near woods or natural areas
• You have pets
• You see deer or wildlife near your home
• Your yard has tall grass, shade, or leaf litter
• Your family spends a lot of time outside
• You have found ticks after being in your own yard
• You want added protection during peak tick season

Ticks are not something homeowners should ignore, especially here in Arkansas.

Final Thoughts

Ticks are making national headlines, but for Arkansas homeowners, this is not just a national story. It is a local concern.

With wooded lots, warm weather, wildlife, and plenty of outdoor activity, Hot Springs Village and Hot Springs properties can be prime areas for tick activity.

The good news is that prevention makes a difference. By keeping your yard maintained, checking yourself and your pets, and using professional tick control when needed, you can help reduce the risk around your home.

If you need help with ticks, fleas, chiggers, mosquitoes, or other yard pests, Pesty Phil’s Pest Control is here to help.

Link:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2026/2026-cdc-data-show-weekly-er-visits-for-tick-bites-higher-than-usual.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://abcnews.com/Health/weekly-er-visits-tick-bites-reach-highest-level/story?id=132056568&utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/diseases-conditions/diseases-from-animals-insects/tickborne-disease/tickborne-diseases-in-arkansas/?utm_source=chatgpt.com